eidolonic | Enchanted Forest meme

Enchanted Forest meme

one → small quest it might be a rare herb or a cup of magic water, but someone’s life depends upon you going through these woods and getting it. will you find it right away? have to battle a witch for it? or maybe you don’t want to succeed at all.

two → lost how did you manage to get lost in these woods? you had that map, right? how did you even get to this part of the country? whatever happened, you’re stuck until someone helps you out. if they want you out in the first place.

three → chased these woods weren’t exactly the place you wanted to go, but you had no choice. innocent or guilty of a crime, or a victim of circumstance, these woods might buy you some time… wait. was that a wolf in the distance?

four → the old castle sometimes when you’re lost or wandering about, you see something really amazing or unusual. or something you were never meant to find. like that old abandoned castle people have been whispering about…

five → passing through the forest has a well-worn path that no one ever strays from, lest something magical happens to them. you’ve traveled it often enough, but just because you’re on the path doesn’t mean you’ll be left alone.

six → refuge it might be dark and cold, or entirely welcoming, but it’s the only place those nasty goons or insane villagers won’t follow you. but what exactly is keeping everyone else away from here? or did you want into some danger yourself?

seven → chance encounter it’s a fairy! no, wait, that was just an ogre. an ogre?! from sorcerers to talking deer, you can meet anything in an enchanted forest. so will you meet someone who wants to help you, or will they want to eat you instead?

eight → danger this forest doesn’t like newcomers, and the creatures don’t like humans. its ways are old and strange, and just because you’ve been able to enter it doesn’t mean you’ll be spared. no one likes trespassers, after all.

nine → large quest the forest might be the end of your quest, or it might be a large part of it. you’ve been fighting hard for a long time to rescue the princess or defeat the wizard, and this forest isn’t going to scare or defeat you. will it?

ten → spell trapped in an ancient oak tree? put under a sleeping curse? or maybe you’re the one who is causing that mischief from that little cottage you’ve hidden in the old forest people are learning to become wary of these days.

eleven → magical not all enchanted forests are scary! some of them are filled with sunlight, fairies, pretty little birds, and all those big-eyed creatures, all of them singing along with you, having a wonderfully good time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[...Forests. Rath may not have spent much time in them over the course of his life, plainsman as he is, but the ones he has spent time in have not done much to endear themselves to him. Dread Isle comes to mind.

This one is not quite that bad... at least not so far. It's not exactly proving to be enjoyable, either. The path he's been following, if it can be called that, is so narrow and twisted and entangled with roots and undergrowth that he long ago had to dismount and start leading his horse through. He's been walking for hours, just trying to get out, away from the closeness of the trees and back under the open sky... and he could swear he's crossed that little brook already. Twice.

He stops, and sighs. Might as well admit it--he's definitely lost.]

[Lugh has been lost for a little while, long enough to start getting worried. What if the army moves on without him...? Well, no, Chad wouldn't let that happen, but what if he holds them up enough that Bern gets the advantage?

It's not good. And... now there's someone coming. Lugh quickly ducks behind a tree, holding his book close--it's a horseman. But when Lugh takes a peek, it's not a soldier--in fact it looks like he's Sacaean, like Sue. Maybe an ally? Not an enemy?]

Um... hello?

[it's kind of a risk, but if this is an enemy, Lugh is pretty sure he's more nimble in here than the stranger.]

[At the sound of an unfamiliar voice, Rath whirls and plucks an arrow from his quiver, fitting it to his bowstring in one swift motion. He hadn't expected to encounter anyone here, be they friend or foe... but if it's the latter, and if that book the stranger is clutching is a magic tome, Rath knows he could be in some trouble. Not only will the boy's smaller size let him move about the trees more easily, but Rath is not accustomed to fighting on foot. And in the few seconds it would take him to mount up, a skilled mage could have a spell off.

Still, if this boy were an enemy, why call out a greeting when he could have simply attacked without giving himself away? Rath is silent as he ponders this, and holds the arrow ready, although he does not draw it back. His horse leans over the brook for a drink.

Eventually, he speaks.] ...Hello.

[Lugh goes rigid when the stranger readies his bow, but the weapon isn't pointed at him yet. He doesn't say anything either, and the silence gets uncomfortable as he readies himself to dodge, but finally the man replies.]

Ah... you aren't working for Bern, are you?

[Better to ask that than anything about the Lycian Alliance. Lugh very much hopes the answer is no, because the horse is just drinking from the stream and that kind of... very normal thing makes it hard to work himself up to a fighting mood. If this man is Bern, though. Lugh will fight. He has to.]

No. [The response comes quickly enough this time. What an odd question, though... they aren't in Bern, and Rath can think of no good reason why anyone affiliated with Bern would be wandering around in this forest.

...Granted, a Sacaean probably shouldn't be wandering around in this forest, either. The road went around it, leagues out of his way, and he'd thought to save some time on his long journey back to Sacae--back to his tribe--by cutting through.

So much for that. Seems like the road knew what it was doing by going around.

Rath studies the boy curiously. Perhaps he's run into some trouble with Bern... but that's his own business. Whatever the case, he hasn't made any move to attack, and Rath decides he's most likely not an enemy. He returns his arrow to his quiver and strides over to his horse, speaking to the stranger over his shoulder.]

Are you lost?

[Whew. Lugh finally untenses when the Sacaean puts the arrow away. Now curiosity can take over: who is he? Why is he alone in the woods here? That's not a good place for horsemen, he's heard the two cavaliers complaining about it...]

Yeah, I--I am. I didn't think this forest was so big. [He takes a step closer.] Are you lost too? Maybe we can help each other find a way out.

[It's a risk; this man is still a stranger. But really, it's better than blundering around on his own.]

[Rath reaches his horse's side and strokes her neck. She raises her head from the brook and looks at the stranger, water dripping from her nose.]

This path will take us nowhere. [Rath lifts the flap of his saddlebag as he speaks, reaching one hand inside.] It's brought me to this place three times now.

[He's sure of it now; he has crossed this brook twice before, and in this exact spot. The path is taking him in circles. It shouldn't be possible--his sense of direction is hardly so poor that he would fail to notice. But somehow, no matter how straight he thinks he's traveling, he's not getting anywhere.

He removes two pieces of jerky from the saddlebag, unwraps one for himself, and holds the other out for the boy. If he's been lost as long as Rath has, he must be getting hungry.]

...I feel like I've been going in circles too. [Lugh just thought that he was bad at woods, but if a nomad is getting lost too, this must be a particularly difficult forest.

He brightens up and smiles for the first time when the stranger offers food. It's true; it has been some time.]

Oh, thank you! [He's about to take a bite when he remembers something.] My name's Lugh. What's yours?

[When the boy smiles, he reminds Rath of the little mage girl who left the Black Fang to join Lyn's company. Nino, that was her name. Lugh almost looks like he could be her brother. Were that the case, Rath supposes some wariness about Bern would be justified--the Black Fang are based there, after all.

Rath suspects even they would have a hard time tracking anyone down in this forest. He chews his mouthful of jerky and swallows before answering Lugh's question.] Rath, of the Kutolah tribe.

[He gazes around thoughtfully as he eats. The path is no good, he's quite certain of that, and it sounds like whatever way Lugh came from is no good, either. They need a course that's guaranteed not to go in an endless circle.]

I'm going to follow the stream. [There is no path alongside it, but it's barely more than a trickle--easily shallow enough to walk in.] ...You can come, if you wish.

It's nice to meet you! Thank you for the food. [He eats with a will, waiting for Rath to speak again on the assumption that he'll know better how to deal with this than Lugh.]

That's a good idea... a stream can't go in circles. [Lugh stashes his book away carefully. He doesn't know what would happen to a magic tome if it got wet, and he doesn't want to find out.

Kutolah...] I know someone from that tribe! Her name is Sue.

Sue...? [Rath looks thoughtful... but no, the name doesn't ring any bells. That's not surprising, though, considering he's been away from his people for fifteen years. He remembers his father, and the tribe diviner, but the rest is just indistinguishable faces that blur together in his mind. And maybe she wasn't even born when he left. He shakes his head.] ...I don't know her.

[The horse is loudly chewing on a mouthful of grass. Rath finishes his food and takes her reins in one hand.] You can ride. I'll have to lead her. [The stream bed is stony, after all, and probably slick. It'll be slow going.]

[~~No, she definitely wasn't born when you left, Rath.~~ Lugh shrugs. He wonders if it's odd or not, but he has no idea what's usual for the Sacaeans. It's not like Sue is very talkative.]

[Lugh draws back a little when he realizes that Rath wants him to get onto the horse. Yes, Sue rides one. So do Allen and Lance. Clarine, too, and she's probably the fussiest person in the army. but but Lugh has never understood how they manage to ride something that huge so effortlessly.]

W-what? But I can walk! I don't mind getting my feet wet.

[Rath regards the boy silently for a moment, then turns away and shrugs. Suit yourself, the gesture seems to say. Why anyone would prefer to walk when they could ride is beyond him, but it's no skin off his back if Lugh would rather have wet feet.

He kicks off his boots and picks them up with his free hand--no sense in getting them wet and possibly ruining them--then glances around quickly to make sure he isn't leaving anything behind. Boots, horse, arrows, bow slung over his shoulder... that's everything. With a nod to Lugh, Rath clucks his tongue at the horse and leads her into the brook.

The water is frigid, but only comes up to mid-calf. Rath decides to head downstream, if only because it'll be easier; he'll worry about directions once he's clear of this accursed forest. Carefully, mindful of his footing, he begins to wade along with the current.

...How do you know one of my tribeswomen? [He'll admit to being curious. The nomads generally don't have much contact with other nations, and while Sacaeans outside of Sacae aren't unheard of--he's met a few--they're far from common.]

[Lugh breathes a little sigh of relief that Rath isn't going to force the issue. He takes off his boots as well and hisses involuntarily at the coldness of the water, but he otherwise doesn't say anything. He's busy making sure he doesn't slip and land on his rump.

But he's s happy to start talking again once Rath asks about Sue. Not that Lugh truthfully has much he can say. He doesn't know her very well and as far as he does, she's not chatty.]

She joined us in Thria, when Roy brought us there--she helped us fight our way out after Marquess Orun's retainer betrayed Ostia. [That might be too much information, but Lugh can't hold his anger at Wagner in check. Not only did he kill his lord, he betrayed them to Bern. That's unforgivable.]

[Rath thought he had a pretty good grasp of world events, having traveled as much as he has and having made the connections that he has, but he doesn't have the slightest idea what Lugh is talking about. He hasn't heard about anyone betraying Ostia in any way... although, granted, it isn't as though he's ever spent much time speaking with Hector. And maybe it's the sort of thing Ostia would rather keep quiet.

Still, if there was fighting... that's hardly an easy thing to keep quiet. Yet there's been no talk of it. Does Hector even know? Rath considers for a moment, the only sound the splashing of their feet (and hooves) in the water until he speaks again.]

Who is 'us'? Who were you fighting?

[...What? Lugh was under the impression that the war has gotten to every part of the continent. It's certainly affected the whole of Lycia. How can Rath be anywhere near it and unaware?]

Bern, of course. We--we're the Lycian Alliance. Under Roy of Pherae.

[Is this man maybe a Bernese spy? Lugh wonders. Is it a trap? He would have thought that a spy would be someone ingratiating, maybe a thief or a mage like himself who could move lightly and disguised; a Sacaean tribesman is too conspicuous. But then, Lugh doesn't know anything about how spying actually works. There have been nomads on Bern's side, and he only has Rath's word that he's from the Kutolah.

Not that it would make sense for a spy to claim total ignorance, would it? Lugh waits for Rath's response, wary again.]

['Of course'? Rath stops walking and turns to regard the boy, bemused. He knows he can't be that out of the loop. Lugh seems to speak of a war, but the only thing resembling a war is the one that just ended. Nergal is dead, the Black Fang's leaders are dead, and though they may have been based in Bern, the nation itself was not the enemy.]

The Lycian Alliance... [It's only been four days since Rath parted ways with the company to make his way back home to Sacae. Hardly enough time for betrayal, war, and the formation of an alliance. This is all sounding very suspicious. And who is Roy?]

...If Pherae leads this alliance, should it not be Lord Eliwood in command?

[Okay... not a spy... unless his technique is to feign complete and total ignorance about the events of the past five years. Doesn't seem like a good way to spy.

anyway it's not like it's a secret.]

Well... no... he's too ill. That's why his son is leading us. [...]

[He's really trying to figure out how someone would not know this. Traveling maybe? But then how do you get back to Lycia without learning it?]

Ill? [Rath frowns at that, concern written plainly on his face... but no, that can't be right...] He was fine four days ago.

[If Lord Eliwood has suddenly taken sick and there's war brewing, perhaps Rath should put off his homecoming for a little longer. His aid may be needed. But just how does this boy know any of this when Rath has heard none of it? And another thing...]

...And he has no children.

[This has gone from suspicious to just plain strange. Are they even talking about the same person? There can't be more than one Eliwood of Pherae, surely...]

[So he saw Marquess Eliwood four days ago but has no idea that Lycia is at war with Bern or that Eliwood has a fifteen-year-old son.

It's all too strange. Lugh decides to pick out the thing that jumps out the most from all of it.]

You... know Lord Eliwood?

[He stops as he asks the question. Lost-in-the-forest suddenly seems like a tiny matter.]

Edited 2015-02-27 03:26 (UTC)

Yes.

[...Should he say more than that? The business with Nergal and the morphs and the dragons isn't common knowledge. Even though the threat has passed, if the general populace learned just how close they'd come to a second Scouring... well, it could be understandably upsetting.]

...I've fought alongside him.

[Hopefully that's vague enough. Rath says nothing further, in spite of the numerous questions swirling around in his head. He simply watches the boy impassively and awaits his response, ignoring the fact that his toes are going numb in the water.]

[Lugh's eyes go wide.]

You have? And--four days ago?!

[He tries to process this. Does that mean Lord Eliwood has recovered? Will he be coming to help them? But then Lugh puts it back together with the things Rath doesn't know, and it still doesn't make sense....]

You don't seem like you're lying, but....

[He trails off. Not lying, and not insane either. But that would be the only two things that would explain his story. Lugh just can't figure it out.]

Sacaeans do not lie.

[That's a well-known fact. And no, he's not insane either... although the longer he spends in this maddening forest, the closer he's going to get. Rath clucks his tongue at the horse once again and continues walking, motioning with a slight tilt of his head for Lugh to come along or be left behind.]

You're not lying, either. [The boy's surprise and confusion are entirely genuine; Rath is sure of that much, at least. He frowns, gazing down at the stream as he walks.] Are you sure you haven't been misled?

Very sure! It's Lord Roy, and his knight Sir Marcus... and Merlinus as well. [He starts and continues splashing along when Rath starts walking again.] And two knights of Lord Roy's house, and his friend Wolt... and several knights of Ostia and their Lady Lilina.

Ah--sorry, I didn't mean to call you a liar, it's just so strange.

(no subject)

bloodofpride - 2015-03-07 05:04 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only